Saturday, February 20, 2010

I'm not sure if it's good news or bad



So I took Isaiah to this place called the Children's Center a couple of weeks ago. They have Psychologist and therapists to help children and they have a therapeutic preschool. So they asked me to fill out a bunch of different questionnaires. And they wanted Dwayne and his teacher to fill some out as well. I thought this is so tedious and I couldn't figure out why I was answering the same questions over and over again. But this last Thursday I went in to meet with the psychologist and talk about the results of the questionnaires and get her input on how to best help Isaiah. He has a hard time sitting still for any amount of time, and he just goes from one thing to the next so fast. He also has a hard time with not getting his way, he would wine all day until you give in. And yes lots of kids have these same behaviors but not to this extreme. And we were getting worn out trying to find ways to deal with Isaiah's behavior. And so after talking with the psychologist she has made the decision that he does have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder). This should come as no shock to anyone who has spent more than 30 seconds with him! People who watch him for an hour or two say the are worn out just cleaning up one mess after the other that he has created. So now our plan is to attend family therapy with him to work on ways to help expand his attention and help him focus better. And to also help him with the whining. The psychologist feels that he can stay in the school he's in and that the help he receives is good for now. And that the therapy will help supplement what help he gets at school.She offered us to talk to a psychiatrist also but I want to do all we can before we just give in to giving him meds. His ADHD is not severe so I'm confident we can do it without meds. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not. I mean on the one hand we know what is wrong and now we can get the help we need to help Isaiah and on the other hand I don't like putting kids in categories that might make them feel stupid. I want Isaiah to have the same opportunities as other children even though he's a little different. When you have kids you hope that they will all be healthy and happy but when one is different you just want the best for them. So for now we work on a plan to help Isaiah and hope that he will respond to the help. I can definitely say life with Isaiah there is never a dull moment!!!

9 comments:

Melisa said...

WOW! So much to take in. I agree..I would be torn also. He is such a sweet, adorable kid how could you not want the best for him. You can do it girl. You are an amazing mom and he chose you! I totally know how you feel. You want all your kids to get the same as each other, not categorize them. You are so good at balancing your children I know you will give him just what he needs. Keep me updated and if there is ever anything you need...you know where to find me:) Love ya girl:)

Karen said...

Life isn't easy is it? Let us know when we can help you - we'd love to take the kids anytime you need a break!!!

Emily said...

We had to deal with that with Corey. He was diagnosed combined type ADHD in Kindergarten. Add to that all the drama with mom and dad deploying and getting divorced and he's had a really tough few years. He had a really awesome teacher in Kindergarten and didn't need meds, but now as he moves up through the grades his teachers haven't been able to handle him as well :(. I'm really hoping that all of the counseling he is doing pays off and we can get himoff the meds soon.

Anonymous said...

I always worry that giving kids labels or singling them out into specific groups can be detrimental.

Because they are working on keeping him in a regular classroom my inclination would be to keep him away from the label as much as possible. Just because you've been given a label and course of action to help him does not mean that he has to know that he's been given a label or that the course you are going with him is different than what other kids might go through.

Good luck. I hope that you guys can find things that work for you.

Anonymous said...

I always worry that giving kids labels or singling them out into specific groups can be detrimental.

Because they are working on keeping him in a regular classroom my inclination would be to keep him away from the label as much as possible. Just because you've been given a label and course of action to help him does not mean that he has to know that he's been given a label or that the course you are going with him is different than what other kids might go through.

Good luck. I hope that you guys can find things that work for you.

The Payton's Place said...

Anna - my niece has also been 'labeled' as ADHD and my sister and brother in law have done a lot of research on how diet can play a huge role in that. Something to look into?

Ibiam said...

Ana I can understand a little about what you mean you want to know the cause of the behavior but yet afraid to know the answer. I wish you the best I know that you are the best mom for your children.

Unknown said...

Anna,

I have a present for you!! I will drop it by ok.

Terina

Wendy and the Crew said...

Banana!! Your kids are darling. Lauren went to the children's center!!! I love that place. They understand your kids it great. They really helped Lauren out while she went to preschool there.